New Song: Lana Del Rey, ‘National Anthem’

Who knew that Lana Del Rey — one of MTV’s 11 Artists To Watch In 2012 — was such a pickup artist? In “National Anthem” — the latest track and/or demo from her upcoming debut record, Born To Die — the mistress of Hollywood sadcore’s got come-ons galore. Rapping/cooing over a woozy, fuzzed-out beat, the artist formerly known as Lizzy Grant seduces her would-be boy toy with lines like “God, you’re so handsome, take me to the Hamptons,” “Want a quick sick rampage?” and — really cutting to the chase — “Do you think you’ll buy me lots of diamonds?” Judging from that bit about how the dude can’t keep his pants on, it looks like Lana’s super-straightforward flirting technique is a major win.

Throughout “National Anthem,” the self-proclaimed “gangsta Nancy Sinatra” delivers her lyrics like she’s puckering up for a big fat kiss. But despite that dreamy refrain about how “summer’s in the air and, baby, heaven’s in your eyes,” the real object of Lana’s affection is cold, hard cash. “Money is the anthem of success,” she tells us in the song’s first line, and by the time we get to that “Red! White! Blue!” chant at the chorus, we’re totally sold.